Beer Forum

etoh · #1 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 08:25 PM

What can I do about having overpressurized a new 1/2 barrel of Hoegaarden? (40 lbs for 3 days) Will leaving it at 0 pressure allow the excess co2 to bleed out? Thanks JJT

Do Hoes like Hoegaarden?

CoreyD · #2 (**permalink**) 01-29-2006, 06:16 AM

First you should bleed off all the excess pressure, then try shaking the keg a little and do it again. The keg is probably shot but it's worth a try.

Scott Zuhse · #3 (**permalink**) 01-29-2006, 04:04 PM

Be certain to turn off your pressure to the coupler first. Leave the coupler in the tapped position. Depending on how much you shake it down will determine if you end up with flat beer.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

etoh · #4 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 10:51 AM

Hello Folks, Its all good! I shut off the pressure valve, released the pressure, shook the keg, released the pressure,shook the keg, released the pressure,shook the keg,released the pressure,waited overnight, repressured @ 12lbs of co2 and its almost perfect. Thats great news as the 1/2 barrel cost me $129.00 Thanks for the replies. JJT

jjt

Scott Zuhse · #5 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 08:01 PM

Hopefully you did not end up with a $129 keg of flat beer. This is not a procedure you should perform every time. Be certain to balance the next keg after it acclimates to your kegerator versus cranking up the pressure to compensate for warm beer.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

etoh · #6 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 10:05 PM

Thanks Scott. No the beer isn't flat. I got lucky. I've tapped and drank many kegs over the past 12+ years. Started with a ball tap for Bud, then went to a "two prong" tap when I got into Harpoon beers (my usual). Then Harpoon went to a ball tap (while concurrently reducing the volume of their 1/2 barrel - same price of course)So I changed back to my ball tap. I never really knew any beer science. Everything was by trial and error. I found the MM website after ordering a barrel of Hoegaarden, bringing it home,and finding I couldn't tap it (BUMMER)I called some buddies and one came up with a Slider tap (M type). It fit on the keg but wouldn't/couldn't depress to tap it. ( More Depression - no pun intended) I found through the MM website that I needed an " A Type Slider. The distributer's rep. for my local pub located an A type slider tap ( one of his clients wasn't using) and came by and helped me install it.( and he wouldn't take any money!)We tapped the keg. Finally Flowing Hoegaarden! He suggested that we up the pressure. OK, fine with me I thought, and we did so. The next day it was WILD BEER, all foam. I stopped pouring because of the waste.( Well OK, I did suck down some foam for wild buuurps!) At the MM website I had also read about proper temps and pressure. I ordered a thermometer, which is installed in a 1 litre soft drink bottle filled with water (hole drilled in cap). This sits beside the keg in the fridge. I've finally got liquid temp at 36 degrees. I also ordered a pressure shut off valve which I added to the bottom of the regulator. I didn't have a low pressure gauge ( 0-60lbs) as part of my dual gauge regulator. so I ordered and installed that too. I have CO2 set at 13 lbs. Now FINALLY its ALL GOOD!! All this tuning is definately going to mean more beer to drink and less waste. You folks have a great website. Thanks for your help! Thanks also to all the members who replied. Oh yeah, one last thing,The best part of my dispensing system is my 1940's era Hotpoint fridge which was in my old farmhouse (1915)when we bought it(1980). Never ANY problems ! Thanks Again, and Best Regards, ETOH